Other Common Names
Pin-striped Vermilion Slug Moth
Pin-striped Slug (larva)
Explanation of Names
SEMIFASCIA: from Latin "semi"... akin to the Greek "hemi" (half, partly, not fully) + the Latin "fascia" (a band, flat strip); refers to the whitish band that extends part-way across the forewing
Identification
Adult: forewing brown to reddish-brown with a wavy whitish band extending from inner margin part-way across wing. Hindwing similar ground color but unmarked
(1).
Larva: body pinkish-orange, marked with black and white or yellow striping and numerous stinging hairs; dorsal and lateral areas each with set of 3 thin dark stripes; four lobes about anterior end and 2 from posterior end; first 8 abdominal segments with subdorsal and subspiracular warts each bearing more than 20 stinging spines
[adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Range
New York and New Jersey to Florida, west to Texas, north to Kansas and Missouri
Habitat
Barrens in northern part of range, in south, dry woodlands
Season
Adults fly from June to August.
Larvae: July to September
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of oak and other trees and shrubs such as cherry, pecan, persimmon.
Life Cycle
One generation per year in the north, present much of year in Florida. Eggs are laid in clusters of 20 or more and are unusual for the slug moths--they are raised and covered with scales from the abdomen of the female
(2).
Remarks
Uncommon northward and in several states: Arkansas (S2S3), Indiana (S1), New Jersey (S2S3), New York (S1)
Print References
Covell, p. 411, plate 55 #18
(1)
Wagner, p. 48--photos of larva and adult
(2)
Internet References
live and pinned adult images by Randy Newman and Jim Vargo respectively, plus common name reference [Pin-striped Vermilion Slug Moth] (Moth Photographers Group)
live adult image and food plants (Plant Diagnostic Information System, courtesy of Kansas Dept. of Agriculture)
live larva image plus common name reference [Pin-striped Slug] and other info (David Wagner and Valerie Giles, Caterpillars of Eastern Forests; USGS)
presence in Florida; list (Michael Thomas, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
presence in Texas; list (Dale Clark, Moths of Dallas County, Texas)
presence in New York; PDF doc list (Dept. of Environmental Conservation, New York)
presence in New Jersey; list (Dept. of Environmental Protection, New Jersey)
status in 4 states (NatureServe Explorer)
